Home/News/The Port of Coos Bay celebrates 100 years of the Coos Bay rail line at the Railroad Centennial Celebration

The Port of Coos Bay celebrates 100 years of the Coos Bay rail line at the Railroad Centennial Celebration

Posted by OCVA/ July 20, 2016

Come celebrate 100 years for history of the Coos Bay rail line with the Port of Coos Bay at the Railroad Centennial Celebration this August 5th -7th! This three-day celebration will commemorate 100 years since the completion of the Coos Bay rail line, and when the first train left North Bend for Eugene in 1916. A reflection of the Railroad Jubilee held in 1916, the Centennial Celebration will include a North Bend Day, Coos Bay Day (known as Marshfield Day in 1916) and Coos County Day.

The celebration kicks off with North Bend Day on August 5th. Visit the various North Bend downtown businesses at the Centennial Stroll for special Centennial deals and events! Take a train ride and then enjoy some free ice cream right at the North Bend boardwalk. Shuttles will be available for all train passengers running from Pony Village Mall to the North Bend Boardwalk. Then head over to the Opening Ceremony in the evening where there will be a Renewal of the Vows between Coos County and Lane County officiated by the Honorable Congressman Peter De Fazio, musical performances from the Dolphin Players and speeches from special guests.

Continue the celebration on August 6th during Coos Bay day. Gather your friends and family for a Selfie Scavenger Hunt, look at Maritime Art in the Coos Art Museum, and browse local vendors at the Pop Up Market. Enjoy music the whole day during the Music Train event where there will be multiple bands playing at different locations in downtown Coos Bay starting at noon.

Coos County Day will be the last day of the event on August 7th. Train rides will be extra special this day as the Sawduster Theatre group will be performing song and dance on the train. Water Sports such as kayaking and paddle boarding will also be available along the Coos Bay Harbor. The celebration ends with a Closing Ceremony with speakers from commissioners in the tri-county area, Representative Caddy McKeown, Oregon Senator Arnie Roblan and more.

Of course, this celebration would not be complete without train rides! Train rides will be available every day. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased through the Railroad Centennial App or at the Coos History Museum. Children 2 and under ride for free. Trains are equipped with restrooms and water will be provided. Limited time Railroad Centennial merchandise will also be available for purchase at the Coos History Museum.

Finally, make sure to download our Railroad Centennial App through the app store at “CoosRail2016”. Login to the app to buy tickets, make your own Centennial schedule, look at speaker profiles, connect with other attendees, and more! Don’t forget to tag the Port using the hashtag #choochoocoos during the event and show your Centennial spirit!

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime celebration. We hope to see you there!